Abstract P3-03-06: A pilot study of personal care product use and exposure to environmental chemicals among Black and Hispanic breast cancer survivors
Authors: Traci N. Bethea, Jennifer Hicks, Erin Speiser, Adana Llanos, Gail E. Starr, Chiranjeev Dash, Lucile L. Adams-Campbell
Journal: Cancer Research (2023)

Abstract Objectives and rationale: Racial and ethnic minorities are disproportionately exposed to environmental chemicals that have been linked to cardiovascular disease, cognitive decline, metabolic disease, and premature mortality. Recent evidence suggests that personal care products are a source of such exposures and that these products are more frequently used among Black and Hispanic women. Minoritized populations also tend to experience worse breast cancer outcomes compared to White patients. However, few studies have examined personal care product use and environmental exposures among minority cancer survivors. The aim of the present study was to describe personal care product use and chemical exposures, including ambient and dermal sources of exposure, in a pilot study of Black and Hispanic breast cancer survivors. Methods: In November 2020 – December 2021, self-identified Black and Hispanic breast cancer survivors aged ≥21 years were recruited in Washington, DC and Hackensack, NJ. Eligible survivors had been diagnosed with primary Stage I-III breast cancer and had completed breast cancer treatment except endocrine therapy. Surveys collected data on demographics, breast cancer diagnosis, personal care product use, and potential covariates. Participants wore silicone wristbands for 1 week for passive sampling of environmental exposures. Extracts from the wristbands were assessed using a gas chromatograph-mass spectrometer to detect chemical exposures. Values were adjusted for wear time and wristband size to provide sample concentrations of detected chemicals. Results: Among the 25 study participants, 17 were Black and 8 were Hispanic, with a mean age of 58 years. Most survivors (58%) had been diagnosed with Stage I breast cancer. Survivors reported using perfume (52%), make-up (80%), and nail polish (68%) during the week, with common daily use of facial creams, lotions, or moisturizers (60%) and body creams, lotions, or moisturizers (68%). Drinking bottled water every day (64%) or most days (24%); eating prepared food from a fast food restaurant at least once per week (88%); and eating food reheated in a plastic container at least once per week (71%) were also prevalent. However, the majority of survivors reported never using pesticides indoors (76%) or outdoors (79%). The wristbands detected 60 distinct chemicals. On average, 21.8 chemicals were detected per wristband and 19 chemicals were detected in more than half of the samples. Exposure to flame retardants and pesticides was ubiquitous. All participants were exposed to chemicals found in personal care products and in commercial products. Several of the most commonly detected chemicals, including benzyl salicylate (a UV light absorber and fragrance), diisobutyl phthalate (a plasticizer), and lilial (a perfume), are biologically active compounds with potential genotoxic or endocrine effects. Discussion: Exposure to environmental chemicals was ubiquitous among Black and Hispanic breast cancer survivors in DC and New Jersey. Frequent use of personal care products and commercial products suggest an opportunity to reduce potentially harmful exposures. Future studies are needed to investigate the role of environmental chemicals in health outcomes among breast cancer survivors and whether environmental exposures contribute to cancer health disparities. Citation Format: Traci N. Bethea, Jennifer Hicks, Erin Speiser, Adana Llanos, Gail E. Starr, Chiranjeev Dash, Lucile L. Adams-Campbell. A pilot study of personal care product use and exposure to environmental chemicals among Black and Hispanic breast cancer survivors [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 2022 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium; 2022 Dec 6-10; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2023;83(5 Suppl):Abstract nr P3-03-06.